The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for July 16, 2025

The Brennan Center for Justice released its annual survey of local election officials.  It found continued concerns for threats, intimidation and violence against poll workers, and the loss of election security funding and staff now that the Trump administration has cut federal election security grants.

The survey of over 800 municipal election officials found 60% were very or somewhat concerned about federal cuts to election security services.  We reported in March on DOGE cuts of 300 cybersecurity experts from CISA, the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency, and the suspension of grant funding to states for hardening systems to fight increasing cyber attacks from Russia, China and Iran.  

Of the surveyed officials, 62% were concerned by the loss of CISA’s direct technical support, and 80% said the federal government should be providing the same or more funding, not less.

One third of local election officials are very concerned about political leaders interfering with the work of poll workers, up 4% from a similar question in 2023.  An additional one quarter are somewhat worried about interference. 

Officials overwhelmingly, 81%, are concerned about false election information spread on social media, which contributes to 38% of local election officials saying they have been harassed, abused or threatened – for just doing their job.   

We have links to the full Brennan Center survey at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Brennan Center for Justice – Key Findings – Local Election Officials Survey — July 2025
American Democracy Minute – (2023)  Brennan Center Survey Shows Election Workers Concerned for Threats, Funding & Political Interference in Future Elections
American Democracy Minute – CISA Pauses All Election Security Programs for Full Review.  Hint:  It’s Not About Election Integrity, It’s Reprisal for Telling the Truth.
American Democracy Minute – DOGE Cuts 300 Experts From CISA’s Election Security Team and U.S. Agency Cybersecurity; Funding for State Cybersecurity Also Suspended
InfoSecurity Magazine –  Trump Administration Shakes Up CISA with Staff and Funding Cuts

Groups Taking Action:

Protect Democracy, IssueOne, Election Official Legal Defense Network

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

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Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #ProtectPollWorkers #ElectionOfficials

The post Local Election Officials Concerned by Trump Cuts to Election Security Funding and Personnel, According to New Survey appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for July 14, 2025

Brian is gone for a couple of days.  This is an important rebroadcast of our May 5 report, but Justice Jackson made similar remarks at another conference last week, saying the “‘State of our Democracy’ keeps me up at night.”

At a Puerto Rico conference May 1st, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned judges that recent threats from the White house are “attacks on our democracy.”  Here is a portion of her speech.

“It seems as though every time I read the news or turn on the television these

days, I see the affronts, and I am also reminded of the vital work that judges do to protect our constitutional order. 

Unfortunately, that solemn duty seems both more urgent and more difficult with each passing day. Across the nation, judges are facing increased threats of not only physical violence but also professional retaliation, just for doing our jobs. And the attacks are not random; they seem designed to intimidate those of us who serve in this critical capacity. 

The attacks are also not isolated incidents; that is, they impact more than just the individual judges who are being targeted. Rather, the threats and the harassment are attacks on our democracy—on our system of government. And they ultimately risk undermining our Constitution and the rule of law.”

She concluded: 

“Other judges have faced challenges like the ones we face today, and have prevailed. I urge you to keep going—keep doing what is right—for the good of the country. And I do believe that history will vindicate your service as well.”

We have a link to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s full remarks at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

U.S. Supreme Court –  “Preserving Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law” Remarks by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson First Circuit Judicial Conference, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico May 1, 2025 | 8:00 PM
Politico – Ketanji Brown Jackson sharply condemns Trump’s attacks on judges
The Hill – Trump slams judges after ruling bars admin from using Alien Enemies Act to deport gangs

President Donald Trump – Post of Truth Social After Judge Halts Deportations Under the Alien Enemies Act
Politico – Trump calls for impeachment of judge who tried to halt deportations
White House Advisor Stephen Miller – Multiple Attacks on Judges via X (scan down the page) 

CNN – Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson says ‘state of our democracy’ keeps her up at night

Groups Taking Action:
American Bar Association, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law,  Stand Up America Coalition

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #AttacksonJudges #KetanjiBrownJackson #SCOTUS #USSupremeCourt

The post Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Warns Judges, ‘The threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy – on our system of government’ appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for March 13, 2025

Nevada Senate Bill 406, made it a felony to harass or intimidate election workers.  In a federal appeals court March 7th, four right wing activists claimed that the law is too vague, and could allow THEM to be unfairly intimidated against participating in the election process.

SB 403, signed by Republican Governor Joe Lombardo in May 2023, was unanimously passed in both houses of the legislature after threats to Nevada election workers following the 2020 and 2022 elections.  Under the new law, individuals who intend to interfere with the conduct of an election, or retaliate against election officials could face up to four years in prison.  It also protects election workers from “doxing,” by disseminating their personal information.  

The Reno Gazette Journal reports that plaintiffs used a 2020 social media post by Attorney General Aaron Ford to demonstrate that the law was too vague, and itself could be viewed as intimidation.  Ford’s post read in part, “FYI — voter intimidation is illegal in Nevada. Believe me when I say it: You do it, and you will be prosecuted.” 

The case, dismissed in federal circuit court for lack of evidence, is backed by wealthy election denier and plaintiff, Robert Beadles.  Depending on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision, it could be challenged further the U.S. Supreme Court.    

We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org I’m Brian Beihl. 

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Gov. Joe Lombardo – (2023) Governor Joe Lombardo, Secretary of State Francisco V. Aguilar sign Election Worker Protection Bill into law
Nevada Legislature – Text & Docket of SB 406
States News – (2023) In face of threats, election workers vow: ‘You are not disrupting the democratic process’
U.S. Dept. of Justice – Man Charged for Threatening Nevada State Election Worker
Brennan Center for Justice – (2023) Poll of Election Officials Shows High Turnover Amid Safety Threats and Political Interference
Nevada Current – (2022) Threats of voter intimidation, extremist violence cloud midterms

American Democracy Minute – States Increased Security in Election Offices and Polling Places, and Increased Penalties for Threatening or Harassing Election Officials
U.S. District Court –  Decision in Challenge to SB 406
Reno Gazette Journal – 9th Circuit hears appeal over Nevada law to protect election workers from harassment

Groups Taking Action:

Issue One, Protect Democracy, Common Cause, Election Official Legal Defense Fund, Public Citizen

Register or Check Your Voter Registration:

U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State

Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! 

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #ProtectPollWorkers #Nevada 

The post Wait, What?  Nevada Law Protecting Election Workers Challenged in Federal Appeals Court appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Nov. 6, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

Election deniers, take notice.  Since just 2022, 20 states have tightened laws to protect election workers, upping penalties, expanding definitions of harassment, protecting personal information, and prohibiting “doxing.”  In other words, “Don’t mess with election workers.”

The 2020 post-election harassment of poll workers, egged on by reckless candidates and supporters, took state and federal officials by surprise.  In 2023, a change by the Department of Homeland Security required 3% of a $1 Billion dollar grant program to be devoted to better security for poll workers. Millions more in Help American Vote Act funding helped state, county and local officials to install bulletproof glass, panic buttons, more cameras and other on-site security.  

Federal law already makes it illegal to harass or intimidate election workers, as do state statutes.  But earlier this year, Virginia made attacks on election workers a hate crime, allowed civil lawsuits for threats and harassment, criminalized the hindering of election administration, gave a liability shield to those who act to protect election workers, and allowed election workers to keep their personal information private.  Oregon and nine other states made it illegal to “dox”, or release the address and personal information, of election officials.  

They’re sending the message, “Don’t mess with our poll workers.”

We have more on new protections for election workers at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

The 19th – (2023)  With an eye on 2024, some states consider new protections for election workers
Public Citizen – Tracker: State Legislation to Protect Election Officials
Brennan Center for Justice – Guide to Laws Against Intimidation of Voters and Election Workers
Brennan Center for Justice – Federal Homeland Security Grant Funds Directed to Election Security

General Assembly of Virginia – Virginia Voting Rights Act
Oregon House – House Bill 4144
Pew Research Center – Key facts about U.S. poll workers

Groups Taking Action:

Issue One, Protect Democracy, Common Cause, Election Official Legal Defense Fund, Public Citizen

Check Your Voter Registration:

• U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
• USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links
• Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State
• Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote
  

Please follow us on Facebook and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #ProtectPollWorkers #ElectionSecurity

The post States Increased Security in Election Offices and Polling Places, and Increased Penalties for Threatening or Harassing Election Officials  appeared first on American Democracy Minute.

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Oct. 25, 2024

Today’s Script

(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

We’re examining ‘Deceive, Disrupt, Deny’, a new report which games out a likely election subversion plan by partisan extremists.  With an effort already underway to spread baseless claims of widespread noncitizen voting, extremists may again be motivated to confront voters and election workers.

Legal and physical protections for voters and election workers have been strengthened since 2020, as have consequences for harassment and intimidation.  But experts from election watchdog Protect Democracy think surveillance of ballot drop boxes, and voter and election worker intimidation by election denier groups may continue to be a factor. Voters can also expect to see more partisan poll watchers for in person voting, looking for opportunities to object to a voter’s eligibility, or obstruct election procedures.

Some of that obstruction may happen in the courts.  Protect Democracy reports that state parties and the Republican National Committee have over 100 pending lawsuits over election procedures, including challenges to mail-in voting, voter registration purges, and hand counting of ballots.

Almost all states are better prepared for the potential of threats, intimidation or violence, and most states have increased transparency to tamp down conspiracy theories.  But what happens when the candidate baselessly denies that he lost?   More on that part of the subversion plan in our next report. 

We’ve linked to Protect Democracy’s report, safeguards and remedies, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:

Protect Democracy – Deceive, Disrupt, Deny:  2024 election subversion strategies and how to defuse them
Rolling Stone – Right-Wing News Site Recruits Election Deniers to Cover the 2024 Election
Associated Press – The RNC is launching a massive effort to monitor voting. Critics say it threatens to undermine trust
USA Today – Citizen advocates are training to disrupt 2024 elections in the name of election integrity
States United – Replacing the Refs
Brennan Center for Justice – What Georgia Tells Us About the 2024 Election Subversion Campaign

Groups Taking Action:
Protect Democracy, Campaign Legal Center, Brennan Center for Justice

Check Your Voter Registration:

• U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
• USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links
• Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State
• Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote
  
  

Please follow us on Facebook and SHARE!  

Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org

Want ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!

Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX

#Democracy  #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #ProtectPollWorkers 

The post The ‘Deceive, Disrupt, Deny’ Subversion Plan: After Claims of Widespread Noncitizen Voting Comes Intimidation, Disruptive Poll Watchers & Baseless Lawsuits appeared first on American Democracy Minute.